Time to QUIT SMOKING, any tips?

I tried to quit smoking for about 13 years of the 20 years that I smoked, so it is safe to say that I tried almost everything. What finally worked for me was taking Zyban/Wellbutrin- I really didn't want to do it (why not? I can't remember now) but what it did was make me feel totally sick when I had a cigarette, which cut the pleasure connection that had established in my brain. There is no way out of the misery of withdrawal than through it. I have been off cigarettes for almost 10 years now, and my life has improved in so many ways. When I smoked, all I wanted was that cigarette and no incentive was going to keep me from it. I know how hard it is to quit, which is why I intend never to pick up another cigarette again- I know for sure I will be right back into it. I never ever wanted just one cigarette, but I told myself that thousands of times. Here is my list of good things about not smoking anymore:
1. Don't have to go outside to smoke in all kinds of weather.
2. Don't have to hide my cigarette breath from people who think I have stopped smoking.
3. Don't have to drive to the next town and hide behind a warehouse hoping that no one I know will see me smoking since I was supposed to have quit.
4. No more broken promises to my husband or family about quitting.
5. More cash in my pocket- don't cigarettes cost $8 a pack these days? That is totally insane!
6. I can happily sit through a dinner party at a friends house without thinking of ways to get out of the house to sneak a cigarette
7. I don't have to start a giant fight with my husband so I can storm out of the house and smoke cigarettes for an hour by myself. Behind a warehouse in the next town, see above

Of course all the heath benefits are great, but that wasn't what was motivating to me at the time because I was young and didn't feel the health problems then. Most of all my advice to you would be- once you decide to quit smoking you won't enjoy it anymore so just stick with it and get the quit overwith! Let me be a lesson to you. Quitting is miserable and there is no reason to stretch it out for 13 years, just one cigarette at a time. Just stop.
Good luck to you, add me as a friend if you like
Kat

I had the tablets to help me quit it I haven't had a smoke for nearly 6 weeks now you can also get the patches from the doctor or you can buy these electronic cigarettes those didn't work for me but they worked for my 17 year old well he was 16 at the time he gave up smoking within a week that was 18 months ago. But what works for one person may not work for someone else there are all different types of things to use I think its just a case of trying things and see how you go of course it may take a couple of weeks for you to stop smoking but good luck in whatever path you choose. I started walking when I wanted to quit smoking so that way I was keeping myself busy but as you do night shift try some hard candy each time you feel like a smoke.

My mom and dad have been smokers since they were teens (now in their late 50s). They quit over a month ago when a lifelong family friend died from smoking. My parents decided to get those e-cigarette things. Apparently, those things have enough nicotine to satisfy the cravings and my parents try all the different flavored oil things to see what they like. My mom's slowly weaning off the nicotine in the oils as well. It doesn't work for everyone though-my brother still smokes while using the e-cigarette but he definitely cut down a lot.

Just a suggestion! Good for you for trying to make such a HUGELY positive life change! :flowerforyou:

GOod for you for making this decision! I quit 7 years ago & haven't looked back. I quit cold turkey when I was mentally ready. I think that is key. I had quit a few times prior to this using the patch or the gum but it didn't stick because my head wasn't there yet.

When I was ready one of the things I found really helped me was using a site called Quitnet.com. you put in how much you smoke & the cost of smokes and it tells you how much money you're saving as well as how many days you've added to your life and some other neat stats. Its pretty eye opening. Plus there is a lot of helpful info on their site as well.

Best of luck to you!!

I smoked one or two packs a day before quitting four years ago using an e-cig. The first few days were a little shaky but it didn't take long and wasn't as painful as cold-turkey or nicotine patches/gum.

My doctor had never seen one before. Now he is 100% pro e-cig. My lungs sound like I've never smoked. There are a lot of ways to quit, the only one that concerns me is Chantix. It works for some people but the side effects can be scary.

Good luck with whatever you do.

I smoked for 15 yrs. I got off of it gradually and then finally quit. The worst part was the "normal" times that I would smoke. After diner, driving to work. When those times come up change your habit. drive a different way with a cold drink or something. Walk after dinner. Go to different places than your norm.

I am now 15 yrs quit and I am glad for it! Persistence! It will get you though!

IMO, and I know it is hard (20 years of smoking everything quit cold turkey), it does centre on the mindset.

You can't crave what you don't want, if you don't want it then no willpower is required, no suffering, no hardship, no sense of deprivation, you really need to see that smoking has NO benefits, whatsoever. No 'It will keep me lean'. No 'It will stop me being bored'. None of those justifications that smokers go through.

So, as some will have guessed by now, I am a fan of the Allen Carr Easy Way route. Book, DVD, whatever it takes. That deprogrammed me and I can still quote it even a few years later. I couldn't actually say when I quit because it just seems like I was a different person then.

I used to trot out the usual justifications for doing it but these days I feel pity, not a yearning, when I see someone smoking.

If anyone wants a pointer to where they can get it online, message me.

My dad died from lung cancer and it didn't stop me starting the habit AFTER I watched him die. People smoke for all kinds of odd reasons, shock tactics will push some further into the habit. You HAVE to change the mindset.

Same as weight loss, whodathunkit?

Good luck y'all take care of yerselves.

I was smoking longer than you've been alive and quit in the middle of losing this weight. I just did it cold turkey. Like everyone said, you have to really want to be ready to quit. Make sure you note the times, places and situations that you really really want a cigarette, so you can avoid them or change your habits when you do quit. Pick a date and TELL EVERYONE that is the day you're going to quit. When I quit, I told my daughter to come outside, when she did, I told her she was witnessing me smoke my last cigarette for the rest of my life. (Of course she didn't believe me at the time). Get some gum, mints whatever to help with the habit of smoking. I used the website www.neversmokeagain.com. It's free and if you follow it, believe in it, I think it will help. Make sure you get rid of all ashtrays, lighters and cigarettes the day you quit. If possible, avoid smokers the first couple days. I only had a hard time the first day. I also avoided alcohol for the first month because I knew that was a huge trigger for smoking for me in the past. Just make sure you prepare, prepare, and prepare some more, and then commit to it and stay with it. Once you get thru the first couple days, it's pretty easy.

I would switch to e-cigs. They have none of the harmful chemicals (besides nicotine) and you can use these to wean yourself off of cigarettes. I personally never smoked cigarettes, I smoked a lot of hookah tobacco. The switch was easy! So convenient, my breathing problems quit altogether, and you just feel better about your body for not inhaling all those carcinogens!

There are different levels of nicotine to choose from, so you can start with a level you are comfortable with, then slowly bring the nicotine content down. They even make 0 nicotine content flavors so you can still get the habit of smoking, yet not have any nicotine.

There are TONS of flavors out there to try, including tobacco flavored ones if you're really feeling that kind of craving. It's MUCH cheaper than smoking as well.

I don't know where you live, but just search for a vapor bar in your area. They'll usually let you try for free.

I'm in the same boat here ..I know its bed ..I know its dumb but still can't find my willpower and decide i really want to quit.